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chief of staff, Jamie Berry speaks on
A FEW QUESTIONS
Q&A with Jamie Berry
MDHA’s chief of staff on housing initiatives, how the department is watching D.C.
Jamie Berry is a communications leader in our community. She made a name for herself as an award-winning television news producer and later in the nonprofit field.
For the past decade, she’s worked at the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) first as the Director of Communications and for the past two and a half years as MDHA’s Chief of Staff.
Berry knows the MDHA’s work inside out. In her role as chief of staff she serves as the intergovernmental affairs liaison and oversees communication and fundraising efforts.
“My focus is to ensure the goals established MDHA’s strategic plan are met, so that we can best serve our residents and program participants,” Berry said, adding that she particularly loves when she has a chance to work with residents and programs participants — something she does a little bit less now than in her prior position.
What are some of the most significant changes you have seen during your time at MDHA?
It has been an amazing and fulfilling journey. When I started in 2014, MDHA had not yet started the transformation at Cayce Place. The planning process began the year prior to me coming, but new residential construction did not kick off until 2015. It has been very interesting to be able to watch the transformation at Cayce Place. We have completed seven new residential facilities, and there are currently two additional ones that are under construction.
I’ll say that one of my favorite days on the job is being with one of our residents walking into a new apartment. It is such a blessing to be able to experience that because some of the things that we may take for granted, Cayce residents did not have prior to the transformation.
There are units here at Cayce that were built in the 1940s and 1950s. There are buildings that don’t have central heat and air, so they’re walking into a brand-new unit with market rent amenities.
We had one of our residents who couldn’t get over the fact that she now had a dishwasher. It was the very first dishwasher she ever had. And I just kept thinking in that moment, what a wonderful blessing to be able to be here and witness this moment with her. So that has been very fulfilling to see our residents be able to move from Old Cayce to New Cayce.
Where is Cayce Place? How many people are housed there?
Cayce Place is located off of Shelby Avenue in East Nashville. Residents have been involved since the early planning stages. I’m told that they were very excited about the opportunity to be able to have a mixed income development, so that’s one of the things we have done.
Overall, there were more than 700 apartments originally. The master plan calls for 2,390 units to replace Old Cayce. To date, we have completed more than 600 apartments here and more than half of those were set aside for our Cayce families. So, we have had more
BY JUDITH TACKETT
What are some of MDHA’s achievements from last year that you would like to highlight?
Nashville community that provide specific services, and we want to take advantage of that and not reinvent the wheel.
When Dr. White first got here, he came up with [a framework that includes] three pillars. The three pillars are residents, staff, and development. That is one of the things he has done that I feel has really transformed our agency in a positive way. We are really putting an effort into our residents and making sure that we are either providing the support services they need or finding someone who can help them to reach their goals and achieve their greatest success. This could include anything from helping people get their driver’s license to working toward home ownership or financial freedom.
A lot of MDHA’s work is federally funded. Have potential federal funding cuts already affected MDHA? If so, in what areas?
Any other significant changes you’d like to highlight?
Besides the transition of Cayce Place, since I’ve been here, is MDHA’s Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Program*. That’s for tax credit properties. The Metro Council approved the PILOT Program in 2016, and since its inception, we have been able to assist in the creation or preservation of nearly 11,000 affordable apartments in Nashville.
We also have converted approximately 1,000 Housing Choice Vouchers to Project-Based Vouchers. This addressed an issue where we were seeing a decline in the number of landlords who were willing to accept vouchers. That decline was caused by the fact that Nashville was growing so rapidly, and landlords could get so much more rent for their units. So, by converting those Housing Choice Vouchers to Project-Based Vouchers, it allowed us to be able to secure units here in Nashville for families in need.
How many vouchers does MDHA have overall?
We have nearly 8,000 vouchers, which include both Project-Based and Housing Choice vouchers.
Give me the elevator speech of what MDHA does, for readers who are not as familiar with the organization.
First and foremost, MDHA provides housing opportunities for approximately 30,000 people who have the greatest need. I say the greatest need because almost 90 percent of households we serve are earning an income below 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).
We are also the redevelopment arm of the city and are currently managing the Second Avenue Rebuild. Previous developments include Bridgestone Arena, Nissan Stadium, and the Nashville Public Library on Church Street in Downtown.
We also administer several HUD community and development grants on behalf of the city, and of course, this includes HOME, CDBG, HOPWA, and ESG.**
One of the most exciting achievements last year was when we started construction on Park Point East in early January. We had 400 units under construction, which is the first time since 1970 that MDHA has had 400 units under construction.
Another one was when we reached the 10,000-unit milestone through our PILOT program, which means we assisted in the preservation or creation of 10,000 affordable housing units. In addition, Metro Council approved an increase in the cap for the PILOT program from $2.5 million to $5 million, which allows us to serve more affordable housing developments. As I mentioned earlier, we meanwhile have nearly 11,000 units through the PILOT program.
Our Rental Assistance Department also received a perfect score on HUD’s Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP), which is a huge achievement worth noting.
We served more than 9,000 people last year through our Community Planning and Development programs (HOME, CDBG, HOPWA, and ESG).
In 2023, our President and CEO Dr. Troy D. White created the first Resident Services Department in MDHA’s 85-year history, and in 2024, that department formed 33 new partnerships to assist our residents and help them achieve their success.
We also revitalized and relaunched our service center in South Nashville to house more partners and offer additional services to our residents and the broader community.
What does the Resident Services Department do?
The Resident Services Department provides specific programs and events that we offer. And if there are services that our residents need that the staff of the Resident Services Department cannot provide, then they try to find community partners who can. Creating relationships and partnerships is so important. There are so many wonderful partners in our
A government shutdown was avoided, and so we are confident that federal funding is going to be intact and many of our programs will remain the same as the 2024 level, but we have learned that a few of those programs will see an inflation adjustment. So, we are continuing business as usual.
We also recently learned that we are receiving more funding than anticipated for Shelter Plus Care, so that will allow us to serve additional people. That’s very exciting.
However, we are keeping an eye on what is taking place in D.C., so that we are aware.
Anything else you would like to add?
I feel extremely grateful to be able to get up every morning and know that I am serving families in Nashville who have a great need. It is truly a blessing to be able to do that. When I first started working here 10.5 years ago, I thought, “Oh, I’ll work here [for] at least five years.”
I am still here because there is always something that continues to keep me going and keep me motivated and keep me excited about this job. And a big part of that are the people that we serve, and the relationships that I build on the job. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be able to do this work every single day.
* https://www.nashville-mdha.org/2024/10/09/ mdha-pilot-program-exceeds-10000-affordable-apartments-created-or-preserved/ : MDHA’s PILOT program provides 10 years of property tax relief to developers who have been awarded a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. These financial incentives encourage developers to expand the supply of affordable multi-family housing through new construction and substantial rehabilitation and ensure that affordable housing development is financially feasible in Davidson County.
** HUD refers to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which manages numerous grant programs including the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program, and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program.
than 300 families move from Old Cayce to New Cayce.
Renegade, Rebel and Rogue
Written by Chris Scott Fieselman, Vendor #0015
I like to do things a little differently. I take on, the problems that are bothering me. These Medals of Honor and battle scars, Come from pushing the envelope a little too far.
I’m a loaded loose cannon. I’m a vigilante.
I’m the first defense, And I’m the last man standing. I’m a trouble maker. The Master-Mind.
A mover and shaker.
A One of a Kind.
I’m a Renegade, Rebel and Rogue. Out of Touch and Out of Control.
I’m too hard to handle, And too heavy to hold.
I disobey orders, won’t do what I’m told. They say that I’m crazy, I’m brazen and bold, And I’m a Renegade, Rebel and Rogue.
A man on a mission with a noble cause. Mixing Passion with Commitment, Can be dangerous. Watering the Tree of Liberty. Bumping heads going against, The powers that be. Giants and Tyrants have something to fear. They didn’t see me coming, But now I’m here.
Go ahead and draw that line in the sand. I’ve crossed it before, And I’ll cross it again.
I’m a Renegade, Rebel and Rogue. Out of Touch and Out of Control. I’m too hard to handle, And too heavy to hold.
I disobey orders, won’t do what I’m told. They say that I’m crazy, I’m brazen and bold, And I’m a Renegade, Rebel and Rogue.
A Patriot, a Martyr, a Man of God, Trying to build a bridge too far. My strength comes from the Faith, I’ve placed in Jesus Christ. There’s no greater Love or Sacrifice.
I’m a Renegade, Rebel and Rogue. Out of Touch and Out of Control. I’m too hard to handle, And too heavy to hold.
I disobey orders, won’t do what I’m told. They say that I’m crazy, I’m brazen and bold, And I’m a Renegade, Rebel and Rogue.
Battle Again
Written by Chris Scott Fieselman, Vendor #0015
Keep heading in the right direction, When everything’s going wrong. You can’t change the past, Or say it didn’t happen, When you find, You’re back at square one. Wrong or right, What’s done is done, And all you can do is move on. Traveling light, When everything’s gone, Carried away by the storm.
Looking for rhyme or reason. Trying to make some sense. Don’t waste your time, Wondering why, Get back in the Battle Again.
Now, you’re bound, To have your problems. See, your share of pain. Catastrophes, That bring you to your knees. Find it hard to rise again. Don’t give up the fight, Or throw in the towel. It’s too late to turn back now. When life feels like, You’re being beaten down, Find the Strength, To Stand, Somehow.
Looking for rhyme or reason. Trying to make some sense. Don’t waste your time, Wondering why, Get back in the Battle Again.
Where do you start?
Where do you begin? When your world falls apart, Get it together again.
“God grant me the serenity, To accept what I can’t change. The courage and strength, To change what I can, And the wisdom, To know the difference.”
Looking for rhyme or reason. Trying to make some sense. Don’t waste your time, Wondering why, Get back in the Battle Again.
THEME: VACATION DESTINATIONS
ACROSS
1. Aladdin's find
5. Reggae precursor
8. "Lights out" signal
12. Not good
13. Flock's echo
14. ____ diet, a.k.a. caveman diet
15. Kind of jerk
16. *Southern and Southwestern U.S. region: Sun
17. Financial backer
18. *Switzerland's skiing destination (2 words)
20. Ivan the Terrible, e.g.
21. Clint Eastwood's "Play ____ for Me"
22. One in a pod
23. Wear out
26. Masculine
30. *Princess' turf
31. Makes a sum (2 words)
34. "He's Just Not That ____ You"
35. Dionysus' pipe-playing companion
37. Choose
38. Provide food
39. Answer from a tunnel
40. Virtual you
42. ____ Scare
43. Prickly plant
45. *Second "National Lampoon's Vacation" destination
47. Biblical Adam's partner
48. Cause and effect cycle?
50. Goals
52. *Jamaica and Cayman
Islands location
56. Bert's sidekick
57. Poet Pound
58. Hay bundle
59. "The Great Gatsby" author
60. Billiards relative
61. Theories
62. ____-deaf
63. Boar's mate
64. Reason to cram
DOWN
1. Not more
2. Swear, not curse
3. Between mini and maxi
4. Bodily fluid
5. Small silvery fish
6. ____ G. of "SpongeBob SquarePants"
7. Aardvark's repast
8. *Serengeti National Park location
9. Aquatic plant
10. Pressure inducer
11. *Costa del ____, Spain
Humiliated
Eucharistic plate
Fretted instrument
OB-GYN test
Balance sheet item
*Coastal destination
Policeman's club in India
Cockapoo or Puggle, e.g.
Foreword 28. Make tea 29. Vast multitude 32. Peace symbol
33. *Rest and relaxation destination
36. *El Capitan and Half Dome location 38. Pigeon food?
40. Brewery order 41. Acrobatic move
44. Living room centerpiece?
46. Velveteen creature
48. Type of membranophone
49. Cupid's ammo
50. Gas station brand
51. Aware of a secret (2 words)
52. Porcinos
53. "At ____, soldier" 54. Charitable contribution
55. Hawk's aerie, e.g. 56. Time in NYC
Learn More About Making Homelessness Invisible
Federal, state and local policies aim to make homelessness invisible by pushing people from one place to the next, or worse, lock them up. Solving homelessness has become a secondary goal at best, even though that would be the most efficient way of making homelessness invisible.
No matter whom I talk to in the homelessness field, they all agree with the statement above — with the likely exception of policy makers and government officials who want to hold on to their jobs in the current political climate.
Before I argue my case, I want to acknowledge the good news: homelessness is solvable!
We know that the main contributor to homelessness in the United States is the gap between housing affordability and the lack of income. In a brief published earlier this month, the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), a national research and policy institute, explained it this way, “Housing is a basic human need, but stable housing is out of reach or hard to keep for far too many people.
“This is a policy choice, not an economic inevitability,” CBPP authors wrote. “Evidence shows that we can solve homelessness if we address its primary driver: the gap between incomes and rent.”
The authors went on to stress the importance of rental assistance coupled with access to individualized support services for people who need help to find and keep housing. Critical support services include, “navigating the housing market, obtaining health care, and securing sufficient income to afford housing.”
Community Solutions is another prominent national leader and consultant that tells us that homelessness is solvable. They support cities, including Nashville, by helping them establish a system that uses a data-driven, housing-oriented, and person-centered approach.
But if we think that politicians are listening and focusing on long-term investments to actually prevent and solve homelessness by ensuring that all Americans have access to housing, employment, health care, childcare, education and other basic needs — well, then we are dreaming.
In reality, current policies do one thing, and they do that well: attempt to make homelessness invisible.
The federal government has made it clear that solving homelessness is not a priority. The U.S. Supreme Court allows local jurisdictions to remove encampments and displace people with no homes, even when cities do not have enough shelter beds to move people indoors. In other words, we are living in a country where it is OK to treat poor and vulnerable people like dirt — just shove them under the rug somewhere so we don’t have to see them.
There are several great blogs where you can monitor how recent executive orders and cuts will affect homelessness. I recommend a blog penned regularly by Ann Oliva, the CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness: https://endhomelessness.
BY JUDITH TACKETT
org/blog/the-first-60-days/. You can sign up for her organization’s weekly updates at endhomleessness.org.
In her latest writings, penned on March 18, she outlines what potential harm is being done and what we can do to help advocate. For example, the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has started to release contracts for the FY2024 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program agreements, which were already delayed, but stopped them abruptly again. “It could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to restart the process of executing grant agreements for FY2024 grantees.
“In addition to delayed 2024 funding,” Oliva wrote, “congress last Friday passed a continuing resolution for the remainder of FY2025 that will effectively cut CoC Program funding for fiscal year 2025 by failing to meet the renewal demand. Compounding this blow are the threats to other federal programs such as Medicaid.”
For more federal updates, you can also sign up to the CBPP’s Executive Action Watch at https://www.cbpp.org/research/ federal-budget/executive-action-watch.
At the state level, removal of encampments is the topic du jour. It’s not enough that Tennessee was the first state in 2022 to make camping on public property a Class E felony, punishable by a potential sentence of one to six years in prison and a fine of up to $3,000. No, in addition to that, the State Senate just passed a bill that would require removal of an encampment along interstate highways.
What disturbs me the most is that the bill in its current form could be initiated by any citizen and the state practically guarantees that the encampment would be cleared within 30 days. There is some nice wording that focuses on the intention and goal to provide shelter and housing for people. It also talks about entering MOUs (Memorandums of Understanding) with local jurisdictions, creating plans and collaboration to help people.
Again, all of that is nice language that even I can support — in theory — if it would be implemented that way. Politicians quickly scrapped a fiscal note of $64 million and replaced it by pushing the clean-up cost to local municipalities and counties. By the way, none of these estimated millions would have gone toward housing and support services.
There are not enough shelters across the state to accommodate everyone who is living outdoors. In addition, most shelters will not accept people with certain disabilities, who are forced to live outdoors. The other issue I have is that people like me who get frustrated about such policies are made out to be proponents of encampments. Nothing could be further from the truth in my situation.
Encampments are not healthy. They are not a place where any human should be forced to live. But making up random timelines to accommodate the visual effect of homelessness does not help. Rather, let’s invest the resources needed to truly move people off the streets and into permanent
housing with individualized support.
As of this writing, the bill has not passed in the Tennessee House of Representatives yet.
So, what do we need to do?
In an interview I had last year with Oliva, she listed the three components to successfully reducing and ending homelessness: solid leadership, good policies and resources.
I wholeheartedly agree with her. Needing more resources may speak for itself, but without solid leadership and good policies, we may not utilize additional resources in the best possible way, no matter how well intentioned we are.
We have seen this locally with the $50 million investment of the federal American Rescue Plan to address homelessness in Nashville over the past two years. Our city government invested $25 million in the actual building of permanent supportive housing units (182 units), and $25 million in support services, temporary housing and landlord incentives.
Of those $25 million, $11.5 million went to temporary housing. And nearly $5 million of those $11.5 million was used to serve 142 people between November 2022 and January 31, 2025, according to a data report by the Office of Homeless Services (OHS). This comes to a per person cost of about $34,700, money that I argue may have been better invested into permanent supportive housing programs.
A large portion of these $5 million were allocated to pay for the rent of the motel rooms and security, rather than the intensive services the population placed in that facility needed. In addition, up to 80 beds remained open for an estimated eight to nine months in 2024 when the city made a contracting error (may I point out that Metro Council members asked questions about those contracts and city leadership had enough time to review them prior to final approval). Consequently, we did not use beds that could have served people who were wanting to move indoors.
In the meantime, Metro added another $3.7 million toward temporary housing this year — only $2.5 million of that additional funding stemmed from the initial $50-million investment.
With all this said, keep in mind what I mentioned throughout this column, we actually know how to end homelessness. With the right leadership in place at the local, state and federal government, implementing real solutions is an achievable goal.
We need to realize that we cannot arrest our way out of homelessness. On the contrary, arrests increase barriers to housing, which perpetuates homelessness.
We also cannot build enough shelter beds to make homelessness invisible. And, you may argue, building permanent units takes time. That’s why we need to start now and offer a combination of things.
My simplistic policy recommendation is that for every additional shelter bed/ temporary housing bed we create, we must invest in four exits to permanent housing
per year for as long as that shelter bed is in use. This way, we create a flow where people are not living in shelters but truly use them temporarily — and only if needed — to access permanent housing. We also need to create paths for people to move from outdoors directly to permanent situations.
And let’s not forget the importance of support services along the way. These supports all must be oriented to solving, rather than managing, homelessness. Support services cannot end once people access housing. Some folks need assistance after they move into their new home.
By the way, this country has already proven that we can turn things around. The national government invested in housing and support services to drive down Veteran homelessness. They adjusted their policies and put their resources toward long-term solutions, and since 2010 Veteran homelessness nationwide has decreased by 55 percent.
One thing we need to remember is that essentially, we all share the same goal. We want people to be able to move off the streets and into housing.
Current leadership at the national, state and local levels are not in total disagreement with my arguments. Just listen to their public messages, which largely reflect what I am saying here. The problem is the way they implement policies does not match up with what they publicly preach.
So, ultimately, it is up to citizens to elect politicians (and support those already in office) who ensure our tax dollars are invested in actual solutions rather than measures that create further barriers to people who already have nothing.
So here is what we can do right now:
• Work with local politicians, especially those who are educating themselves about true solutions.
• Help them understand that we need a multitude of different housing options to prevent and end homelessness. We also need to have clear conversations about the fact that the homelessness sector alone cannot prevent homelessness. It is other sectors including healthcare, criminal justice systems, mental health, youth services, education and workforce development that need to improve to prevent homelessness to begin with.
• Assist them in examining what funding mechanisms could work. I specifically recommend exploring the establishment of local rental subsidies and investments in intensive case management services — including medical and psychiatric services — to support people with substance disorders and/ or mental illness as they transition to permanent supportive housing.
Some of these steps may seem extremely costly right now, but if we partner with a university to evaluate long-term impact, we will find that we are merely reinvesting dollars in a way that will make homelessness more and more invisible — by actually solving it and helping people move off the streets of Nashville permanently.
P R O P E R T Y T A X O P P O R T U N I T I E S
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News Briefs
New Support Group Launches TN Hearing Voices and Paranoia Collective is a new peer-led support group that is slated to meet every Tuesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in person at the Bellevue Public Library and virtually through a Zoom link. The event description says that this space, “is for anyone who hears voices, has unusual beliefs, and/or experiences paranoia to give and receive support, understanding, and connection without judgment or clinical and diagnostic labels. Whether these experiences are distressing, meaningful, or both, we are not alone.” Interested folks do not have to register, and a Zoom link can be provided ahead of time by emailing tnvoicesandparanoiacollective@ gmail.com.
American Pride Rises Visiting College Campuses in Nashville to ‘Defend DEI’
Nonprofit organization American Pride Rises (APR) is launching the Defending Our Dreams College Tour in Nashville on March 24, where it will visit colleges and universities in Tennessee as they face “unprecedented attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, threatening students’ ability to learn on campuses where they feel safe, welcome and included.” During each tour stop, students will hear from prominent leaders and advocates who are on the frontlines of the fight to protect DEI programs on their campuses. The tour will also include an on-campus activation to equip participants with the tools to resist efforts to dismantle DEI programs and ensure that colleges remain spaces of opportunity and belonging. This tour kicks off as opponents of progress at the federal and state level baselessly attack diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education and work to close pathways to opportunity that have allowed students to build the life they dream of for generations.
ThinkTennessee Releases Comparative Analysis Of State Election Policies
Tennessee has one of the most complicated voting rights restoration processes in the country, according to a recently released fact sheet from ThinkTennesee. The state is one of 11 states that requires a strict photo ID to cast a ballot, finds a new fact sheet released today from nonpartisan think tank ThinkTennessee. “Last year, we released a five-part Voter Education Series to help inform Tennesseans about our state’s voting processes ahead of the 2024 elections,” said Erin Hafkenschiel, president of ThinkTennessee. “This comparative analysis builds on that
information to show that not every state does things the same way – our research demonstrates that there are alternative policies Tennessee could consider to ensure all eligible voters can participate in elections while still maintaining election security.”
The state-by-state analysis reviews election laws covering several topics, including voter ID requirements, the absentee voting process and restrictions, voter registration requirements and deadlines, and steps to restore voting rights after a felony conviction. Each section includes a side-by-side comparison of the federal election law and Tennessee’s election law, as well as U.S. maps illustrating the relevant election law for every other state and D.C. Tennessee is among 12 states requiring voters to be registered the soonest, which is 30 days before Election Day, the maximum allowed by federal law). Most states allow more time for voters to register, offering deadlines closer to Election Day, Same Day Registration, or both. In most states, any voter who wants to may vote absentee and return their ballot in person. Tennessee is also one of 14 states requiring a qualifying excuse to vote absentee and one of only two states requiring ballots be returned by mail. Tennessee is also one of eight states that explicitly requires payment of legal financial obligations before being eligible to vote.
Giving Machines to Give Donations to Fund At-Risk Populations
On March 24, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will honor five local charities featured in the 'Light the World' Giving Machines with checks from the machine’s donations.
The five charities are: FrankTown Open Hearts, Tennessee Alliance for Kids, I am NEXT, Community Resource Center, Unicycle + HERO Program. The Giving Machines were open for donations on Main Street in Franklin from Dec. 6-15 and Middle Tennessee residents, families, faith groups and businesses donated a total of $101,196 in the machines.
TAK Executive Director Fran Maynard explains what the outpouring of donations will translate into for families in need; "All of us at Tennessee Alliance for Kids are blown away by the generosity of everyone who gave through the Nashville Giving Machines! These donations of car seats, bunk beds and safe shelters will help families reunify, keep siblings together, and support children at risk of entering foster care.” Since the Giving Machines first arrived in Nashville, more than $500,000 has been donated to local and global charities, according to a release.
On Feb. 11, students and their parents filled the Cordell Hull Building to denounce a bill attempting to deny education to undocumented immigrant children. On Feb. 5, the daughter of a World War II veteran demonstrated as part of Fifty Capitols, Fifty States, One Day, an effort to fight fascism across the country. Various other actions have happened as the legislature gathers: housing rights actions, trans rights, calls to keep education equitable, protests against genocide in Palestine and more. PHOTO BY ALVINE.
Loosing Loved Ones Hurts Your Heart
BY WILLIAM B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR #5843
My friend passed away yesterday. He was 48 years old. He saved my life back in 1985. I was in jail and he kept some people from hurting me because they were gonna kill me. They had a knife and everything.
He said, if you if you lay a hand on him, you gotta fight me off. And he was a big man. He weighed at that time close to 300 pounds.
I met his kids and his wife once at Room In the Inn. They came and shot pool with me. I'm going miss him. I nicknamed him Big Bad John because he saved my life. He was a real good friend. He was at the Room in the Inn a lot longer than I was in an apartment. He worked. He took care of his family and he played rent living at the Room In the Inn even though he was not always there. His name was John Coleman. He's a good friend I'm gonna miss with all my heart.
I lost my brother last month. I've lost quite a few friends at the Room in the Inn that have had apartments there. I just renewed my will today. So, I’m not looking forward to dying, but I am looking forward to going to Heaven. With my church there for me when I need them, the Contributor there for me when I need them, Room in the Inn there for me when I need them, that’s family. That’s always a
new family that I consider family now. To have The
Contributor to tell these stories and to hopefully help me compile everything I’ve written into a book this year. It will benefit my family when I’m gone. I hope this story can benefit a lot of people who are going through what I’ve been going through. I think you for listening and I pray an hope things will go good for you in life. I’m 76 right now and I’ve lived a very very interesting life. When you get my book, you’ll see.
Morning Coffee and a Thought
BY DANIEL H., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR #5843
My name is Daniel Holmes, and I grew up in a small town in Maryland. Now I live in Nashville, Tennessee. I was never a person who picked a political party. I generally went with who sounded the best.
Recently, we were reminded that everybody has a voice by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of Washington, D.C. She reminded President Trump that what he does in office affects everyone equally. As I watch TV, my heart goes out to the people that he has fired.
I grew up in a small town where people either knew or were related to their neighbors. We shared our experiences. Why have we distanced ourselves by using telephones, technology and the internet? It has become a normal thing to put blame on a person that we hardly know. We tend to hide from reality and take no responsibility
for something that we have no control over.
Are we not connected by events? Are we not trying to survive from day to day? When you go past someone you’ve never met, ask yourself how you could make a difference with just a wave or smile. Maybe that’s all the other person needs. Validation comes in many ways. It doesn’t always take money to help another human being. Just a voice, smile or wave to say you matter. When passing other people, remember they need love too. You can make a difference. Remember, when reading this, someone cared about you to write this. Thank you, Bishop Budde, for your thoughts and prayers. We need more examples in this world of isolation.
The cards are for sale for $2 each or $10 plus tax for a pack of 10. Buy it to remind other people that they were seen and not forgotten.
Felonious Sleeping BY FREEPRESSGMA
My state I.D. says Tennessee
Our public property is for all to see
But don’t touch!
This park is for everyone — but me.
I am a deer trapped on an island, surrounded by deadly roaring car missiles. Seeking escape from coyote, I run.
Seek refuge in the park! Have a little nap — and get a felony.
Like a turtle crossing the freeway, my chances are slim.
I sleep in the ditch like my English ancestors, thrown there by private property lords
My tent might be missing a stitch
Or two
And now I must pay for what’s already ours
So the land that we own — is it really ours?
A mother lets her baby sleep in her arms — in the park.
To whom does the felony go?
This land that is ours — is not really ours
Our rights, picked down to the bone.
It’s all in how you say it
BY MIKE E.
What rhymes with pay attention?
Shut up and listen.
It’s all in how you say it
It’s all in how you play it
You can’t catch a fly with vinegar
You can with honey
You can’t be swayed with words
As good as you can with money
All flesh is sin
God and sin never be together again
Go to 1 Corinthians 13:10
Talking about Jesus’s second coming
Bless don’t curse
Been better
Been worse
Not gonna complain
But will give God thanks in everything
We’re in the end of days
Give god praise
In all your ways
Fight the good fight
Do what’s right
No longer the law but the grace
Finish the race.
LA NOTICIA
“The Contributor” está trabajando con uno de los principales periódicos en español La Noticia para llevar contenido a más lectores en Middle Tennessee. Nuestros vendedores de periódicos han pedido durante mucho tiempo que nuestra publicación incluya contenido que apele al interés de residentes de habla hispana en nuestra comunidad.
“The Contributor” is working with one of the leading Spanish-language newspapers La Noticia to bring content to more readers in Middle Tennessee. Our newspaper vendors have long requested that our publication include content that appeals to the interest of Spanish-speaking residents in our community.
Zoe Saldaña, Afro-Latina
d
e S a
Z
log rado un hito en su car
al ganar s u p r i m
P
m i o de la Academia en la ceremonia de los P r e m i o s O s c a r 2025 Conocida por s u ve r s at i l i d a d y presencia en algunas de las franquicias cinematog ráfic a s m á s e x i t o s a s , c o m o Avat a r, Guardianes de la Galaxia y Star Trek, la actriz dominicana-puer tor riqueña h a s i d o u n a f u e r z a e n H o l ly w o o d durante más de dos décadas, rompiendo bar reras y demostrando que el talento latino tiene un lugar protagónico en la industria cinematog ráfica
Este año, Saldaña se llevó el Oscar a Mejor Actriz de Re par to por su destacada inter pretación en Emilia Pére z, donde su actuación conmovió tanto a la crítica como al público Su papel mostró una profundidad emocional y una entre ga que la consolidaron como una de las mejores actrices de su generación En la película, Zoe interpretó a un per sonaje con una historia c o m p l e j a y l l e n a d e m a t i c e s , demostrando una ve z más su capacidad para sumergir se en roles desafiantes que e xigen un alto nivel de inter pretación
U n m o m e n t o h i s t ó r i c o p a r a l a c o m u n i d a d A f r o - L a t i n a
El triunfo de Zoe Saldaña en los Oscar es par ticular mente significativo, ya que marca un logro histórico para la comunidad Afro-Latina y dominicana en Hollywood Como mujer de ascendencia dominicana, su victoria representa un paso adelante en la visibilidad de las historias y talentos diversos dentro de la industria del cine
Al aceptar su primer Oscar a Mejor Actriz de Reparto, una emocionada Zoe Saldaña se tomó un momento para
reconocer a su familia, muchos de los cuales estaban presentes en el Dolby Theatre para compar tir esta ocasión histórica Durante su discurso, expresó su gratitud y orgullo por sus raíces latinas, dedicando el premio a todas aquellas mujeres que luchan por ser vistas y representadas en el cine "Este premio no solo es para mí, sino para todas las mujeres la tinas y afrodescendientes que sueñan con estar en este escenario algún día Espero que mi victoria sir va como inspiración para quienes creen en su talento y en el poder de sus h istorias", dijo Saldaña con gran emoción
U n v í n c u l o p e r s o n a l c o n l a U S H C C
miembro de la junta directiva de la USHCC y tuve la oportunidad de aprender más sobre su trayectoria profesional y personal Desde sus inicios en la actuación hasta su incursión en el mundo de los negocios con su empresa de medios digitales BESE, Zoe ha demostrado un compromiso inquebrantable con la representación y el empoderamiento de la comunidad latina
Durante la ceremonia, Saldaña expresó su g ratitud por el reconocimiento y resaltó la importancia de elevar las voces de las mujeres lat inas en todos los ámbitos "Estoy honrada de recibir este premio de la USHCC Los ganadores anteriores son íconos en sus industrias y me siento privilegiada de formar parte de esta comunidad pionera", dijo en su discurso
Al verla ganar un Premio de la Academia, se reafir ma el impacto de su trabajo y el valor de su perseverancia
Me enorgullece haber compar tido ese momento con ella y, años después, co ntinuar viendo su influencia crecer dentro y fuera de la industria del entretenimiento
Tuve el privilegio de conocer a Zoe Saldaña en 2018, cuando fue honrada con el Premio a la Excelencia en el Liderazgo en la Convención Nacional de la Cámara de Comercio Hispana de los Estados Unidos (USHCC) En ese momento, yo era un recién nombrado
U n l e g a d o p a r a l a s futuras generaciones
L a v i c t o r i a d e Z o e Saldaña no solo celebra s u t a l e n t o, s i n o q u e a b r e c a m i n o s p a r a nuevas generaciones de actores y cineastas latin o s y a f r o d e s c e n d ientes Su éxito refleja una industria en evolución, con más espacio para historias diversas
Este reconocimiento la consolida como una de las actrices más influyentes de Hollywood Su legado trasciende los premios, simbolizando perseverancia, dedicación y orgullo latino, inspirando a más artistas a brillar en la industria
Envíenos sus sugerencias por e-mail: news@hispanicpaper com ó 615-582-3757
Conoce
La talentosa actriz
dominicana, hace historia con su primer Oscar
Por Yuri Cunza Editor in Chief @LaNoticiaNe ws
Año 23 - No 410 Nashville, Tennessee “DONDE OCURREN LOS HECHOS QUE IMPORTAN, SIEMPRE PRIMERO... ANTES”
Latina Women Celebrate Zoe Saldaña’s Historic Oscar Win at the Oscars watch gathering at Tempo
School Choice Is Beneficial For Some But Detrimental To Others
BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR
It seems that school choice has become a hot topic nationwide, with 32 states and Washington, D.C., implementing it in various ways. Arizona has actively supported school choice from the beginning. Arizona resident Rebecca Eklund, an educator, parent and advocate for parents of children with special needs who has placed her children through public school, charter school, private school, home school and even the voucher program, said she, “returned to teaching in a traditional public school because [their] local districts still have the most comprehensive resources and the most experienced and educated teachers."
Other states have hit the brakes on funding such programs. Illinois stopped funding their voucher program in 2023, after only six years. It’s important to note that school choice can take many different forms: vouchers, education savings accounts and tax credit scholarships, to name a few. They can be multi-layered in structure, and the qualification process can be equally complex. For instance, some programs prioritize children with disabilities, with autism receiving the highest rate of assistance. In other programs, such disabilities would disqualify a student from receiving services. The same can be said for home-schooling, an option many parents are considering due to ongoing threats of violence and the increase in the number of school shootings, most recently at nearby Antioch High School.
Some programs allow spending money on this type of program, others do not. Tennessee’s, in its current form DOES NOT. The so-called
Education Freedom Act was signed into law on February 12, 2025, in Tennessee. It will award 20,000 scholarships in the amount of $7,295.00, with 10,000 of those reserved for low-income families. How generous! In addition, it has been estimated that up to 65% of students who receive these vouchers are already enrolled in private school.
According to the Nashville city government, Tennessee’s public school system currently serves over 900,000 students in 147 districts. So, what happens to the other 880,000+ students who are currently enrolled in public schools? Are they to be left with no choice? Or must they make do with what is left over? It has been said by lawmakers that funding for public schools will not be affected by this, but how is that possible when public tax dollars once used to fund public schools will now be diverted to fund private education?
Of the state’s approximately 1,859 public schools, 1,519 receive Title I funding. Title I is a federal program that provides funding particularly low-income families to help improve educational outcomes. Federal funding makes up about 14% of a public school’s budget, and the amount of money each school receives is based at least partly on the number of students that are enrolled. So, a decrease in enrollment would DEFINITELY mean less money for public schools, which in turn means our struggling public school system will likely continue to deteriorate.
It’s also worth mentioning that private schools may not have the same accreditation
requirements or core curriculum and are not held to the same testing standards as public schools. In contrast, each year, every Tennessee public school teacher receives a Level of Effectiveness score from 1-5. These take into account student growth and achievement, as well as qualitative data obtained by principal observations and the like.
So, what is this information used for? The Tennessee government’s website goes on to say: “Evaluation scores shall be a factor in employment decisions, including, but not limited to, promotion, retention, termination, compensation and the attainment of tenure status.”
Clearly, public school teachers are being held to a higher standard because of this greaterscrutiny and oversight.
One concerned parent put it this way: “When they privatize education, they can modify the curriculum to conform to their views. There is a lack of accountability, and with no one to monitor their standards, they often perform poorly on standardized tests with no consequences.” Similar sentiments have been echoed by educators. While I AM NOT a proponent for the excessive amount of testing our children are exposed to, I do believe some is necessary to assess a student’s growth and to identify where they may need help.
Something else to consider: private schools can deny entry into their program, while public schools DO NOT have that luxury. They MUST accept every student in their district. Another concern about this type of program is that it does very little for students in rural areas where
school options are limited and transportation is often an issue. (I experienced this myself in caring for my granddaughter — it was quite costly.)
One educator with 17 years of experience in a rural area said, “If people can afford it that would be great, but the students who need help the most have few options. Even when they are available, they can’t afford to get it, or they encounter other barriers to their education.” Instead she said she’d like to see “smaller class sizes and additional classroom space.” (She currently shares her space with another teacher who teaches on a different grade level, which can lead to distractions.)
One final thought: if Tennessee can afford such a costly program — worth $145 billion — why can’t we find the money to pay our teachers a wage that would allow them to live in or near the communities they serve? Doing so would ensure a higher quality of education for ALL students, NOT just a select few. This is especially true when teachers are spending money out of their own pockets to ensure ALL their students have the BASIC NECESSITIES available, not just those who can afford them.
Remember: your child's teachers are helping to shape who they will become, often spending more time with them than parents and grandparents do! The state of education in Tennessee is tenuous at best. Only time will tell if the Education Freedom Act proves to be beneficial for students here or if it will be detrimental to their well-being. But if other states are any indication, you’d better fasten your seatbelt, because it looks like we’re in for a bumpy ride.
Global Warming is Changing Traditional Weather Lore
As a second grader in 1970, I recall my teacher incorporating weather lore into our lessons. Some of the lore went back centuries.
BY KEITH D., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR
“When a groundhog sees its shadow, there’ll be six more weeks of winter.” Nowadays, the shadow means maybe four more wintery weeks.
“March comes in like a lion, out like a lamb.” Move it up one! Now its February.
“When you see the first robin redbreast, it’s a sure sign of spring.” Not anymore! The winters are now warm enough for robins to find food year-round; they don’t migrate anymore. So, if you see a robin on January 4th, don’t be thinking it’s springtime.
When one greets another, a smile soothes apprehension but also shows power — the power to deal with just about any and all circumstances that life has thrown at that person. Passers-by may wonder: "Why and how is he still smiling?"
From birth, he was and is the only male of that household. At the age of six, he experienced a lifechanging tragedy. He’d been hit by a drunk driver, which sent him as high as a telephone pole only to come back down and bust his head open on the windshield of the driver’s car. His brain trauma would present as psychomotive seizures that grew into grand mal seizures. These occurrences hindered him and his ability to live a "normal" life.
But life halts for no soul. He held onto his
Not only the last several years, but this year — 2025 — saw the first week of February with record-high temperatures, high winds and a tornado outbreak.
“April showers bring May flowers.” Nope, nope, nope! March showers, April flowers. By mid-May, the precious flowers are wilting in the heat. Which brings me to the last bit
The Strength of a Smile
BY MAURICE B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR
seat of life and played the cards that were dealt. Though his comprehension skills and compatibility with friends were at an all-time low, he held onto others’ wishes, hopes and dreams of change. His mother spoke to him during the last month of him being 12 and asked him how he'd feel about meeting and even going to live with his father. At 12 years old, he thought those ideas sounded awesome.
But when the son was supposed to meet his father for the very first time — his 13-year-old birthday gift, the father didn’t show. It turned out the father was in the hospital; the day after the son’s 13th birthday, the mother received a phone call notifying that the father had been declared deceased.
Informing the child of why he couldn't and wouldn't be able to meet his father brought about another complication that the child had to deal and live with. Now at the age of 13 years old, he was out on the streets trying to figure out how to be a man and how to live life. He came face-toface with this cruel, dog-eat-dog world.
The mother always had love and open arms for her baby, but out of his love and respect for her, he stayed far away — in hopes of preventing any consequences of his actions from harming her and her safety.
Within his travels up and down the highways and byways of life, a new objective emerged: retaining and matching the energy that the environment — from various places and stages of
of de-bunked weather lore.
“The dog days of summer” used to be mid-July through August. Now the excessive heat starts mid-May through the first week of October. It was low 90s the first week of October last year. On October 3rd and 4th of 2019 — 99 degrees.
YUCK!
life — projected onto him. Having chosen to be a leader, he shares smiles to show the strength that our almighty creator God has given him. God has carried him through so much as from a young age and still carries him through dilemmas nowadays, from diabetes to open heart surgery, ashe strives to bring comfort to others through greeting them with a smile.
As challenges in life continue to present themselves and we look for ways to solve them, it is best not to gloom over them. In a state of glooming, there is no light, and without light, there isn't any life. Looking toward life is to look towards the wonders of our almighty creator God's will. It's His will: if He brought you to it, he’ll bring you through it, too.
HOBOSCOPES
ARIES
When I was a kid I had a friend who was 50 feet tall. We’d hang out at lunch and play pirates at recess. I would help her with her social studies homework and she would scare away the bullies who tried to follow me home on their bikes. I was short for my age but she never made a big deal about it. I switched schools after 7th grade. I wonder what ever happened to her. There are friends who are with us for life, Aries, even if we never see them again. Don’t let that stop you from reaching out, though. We can all use a hand-up. Even if it’s not the whole 50 feet.
TAURUS
Due to recent layoffs and budget cuts, The Stars are not able to process astrological wisdom for Taurus at this time. As an alternative to cosmic advice, consider reading a book, asking a friend to lunch, or just going for a long walk alone.
GEMINI
It was pouring rain outside and the sirens started going off down the street so I opened my browser to check the weather but the top of the page just said “here’s one trick doctors don’t want you to know” and I guess I got distracted. I’ve been clicking through adds for 45 minutes. The sirens stopped, but I think a branch fell through my bedroom window. I’ll check as soon as I find out the one food psychologists won’t eat. As for you, Gemini, stay on task. Distractions can be deadly.
CANCER
I know that the future will leave me behind because whenever I see headlines about artificial intelligence, I feel instantly fearful and confused. And that’s not even the future, Cancer, that’s just the present. I know things are going to change a lot over your lifetime, Cancer, and sometimes it will feel like a miracle and sometimes it will feel like an emergency. All I can tell you is, it’s gonna be the people you surround yourself with who make this all worth it. Change is inevitable. Relationships take effort.
LEO
The Stars indicate–oh I’m sorry, Leo, did I startle you? It’s just that you jumped a little bit and made that
little high-pitched bark you do whenever you get scared. I’ll try not to start out so abruptly next time. I know you get really focused on your work and then when somebody starts blurting out your horoscope it can be kind of a shock. Anyway, where was I–oh right. The Stars indicate that you can’t really prepare for the unexpected, and you can’t anticipate every possibility. But as you invest your energy in the direction that pulls you the strongest, stay responsive to the direction the next wind may blow.
VIRGO
Filing taxes as an amateur astrologer is always tricky. Sure, I can writeoff my subscription to Soft Aspects Monthly and my new star chart organizing cabinet. But could I also get a deduction for every time I gazed into the night sky for wisdom and was met only with a silent and cold infinity? Can I get a refund for the futures I predicted that never came to pass? My accountant really hates the voicemails I leave her at 2:00 in the morning when I’ve been worrying over a pile of receipts for fast food that fueled my greatest realizations about the universe. Anyway, Virgo, keep in mind that they can tax your income, but only you can know the value of your output.
LIBRA
While you’re up, Libra, could you restart the dryer? It’s got that heavy blue blanket in it and it always takes more than one cycle to get dry. It helps if you pull it out and turn it around before you hit the button again. Some things just take an extra step, Libra. Sure, you can do the minimum and it might work out eventually. But if you’ll just throw in that extra flip it might save you some work later. Could you also refill my lemonade before you sit down. There’s a pitcher in the fridge.
SCORPIO
There’s lots of kinds of country songs, Scorpio. I mostly like the ones that have a little bit of ache to them. Like, sure, life is simple and sweet but maybe there’s some regret or a slow realization that the past can’t ever come back. I know, Scorpio, you’re more into the songs where everything already worked out. The truck started, the team won, and the dog came back just in time for the wedding. And that’s fine for a song, Scorpio. But if you’re feeling like your life’s missing that perfection, remember that you’re not alone. There’s a song for that too.
SAGITTARIUS
Sorry, Sagittarius, I need a minute. I just saw a video of a kayaker who got swallowed by a humpback whale and then immediately spit back out. Don’t worry, the kayaker is ok. I guess the whale is too. I just didn’t know that was a thing that could happen to a person. I thought there were limits to what we needed to worry about, but for me that video proves that worry is, in fact, entirely pointless. Because there’s no way you could think to worry about being swallowed by a humpback whale. And so worry must be a completely ineffective system for preventing pain. So you might as well give it a rest, Sagittarius.
CAPRICORN
They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, Capricorn. They don’t tell you what to do with all that extra strength. That’s why I’m not surprised to see you pushing over skyscrapers and hurling city-buses down the street. You’ve just gotten stronger and stronger and stronger– but no amount of remaining unkilled makes you happier. You have to work extra for that. It’s not as hard and painful as what you’re used to, Capricorn, you just have to look up and find somebody else who could use your strength. And then you help them. And then that helps you.
AQUARIUS
I keep a jar by the front door for loose change. Whenever I end up with coins, I just throw them in there. Every so often, when it gets very full or I get very broke I take it to the machine at the grocery store and I dump it all in there and it shakes it around and spits out a ticket that I can turn in for real cash. And it reminds me, Aquarius, of all the little bits you’ve been collecting. All the compliments, and ideas, and gratitude, and skills that you’ve got piled up by your front door just waiting to be cashed-in for some real change. I think your jar is getting pretty full. Today might be the day.
PISCES
What’s your earliest memory, Pisces? Mine’s probably when I was 3 or 4 and I got chased by a goose at the park. I ran along the lake shore while the goose honked and snapped at my sweater sleeve. Do I even remember that moment, or do I just remember remembering it? Did it just become a story that my brain pulls up when I want to determine an earliest memory. Sometimes your concept of who you are is less about what happened and more about the story you tell yourself. If you want to change where you’re running to, you may need a different goose to chase you there.
Growing Trump-Putin detente could spell trouble for the Arctic
During a wide-ranging, 90-minute speech to the US congress on March 4, Donald Trump revisited his determination to “get” Greenland “one way or the other.” Trump said that his country needed Greenland “for national security”. While he said that he and his government “strongly support your right to determine your own future,” he added that, “if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.”
Trump’s ambitions regarding Greenland and its considerable mineral wealth are just one of a raft of issues in the first six weeks of his second term that have plunged European global politics into disarray.
As the White House ramps up the pressure on Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to allow the US access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth, the US president is also talking about “cutting a deal” with Russian president Vladimir Putin. That deal would not only mean territorial losses for Kyiv, but would also prepare the ground for a potentially far-reaching economic partnership between the White House and the Kremlin.
Currently, Trump and Putin are primarily focused on Ukrainian territory and mineral assets. But discussions have also begun on where else “deals” might be made, including in the Arctic.
A carve up of the Arctic is an attractive proposition for the two countries given the importance that both leaders attach to mineral resource wealth. As in the case of Ukraine, such an approach would reflect Trump’s predisposition for transactional geopolitics at the expense of multilateral approaches.
In the Arctic, any deal would effectively end the principle of “circumpolar cooperation”. This has, since the end of the Cold War, upheld the regional primacy of the eight Arctic states (A8) that have cooperated to solve common challenges.
Since the Arctic Council was established in 1996, the A8 has worked on issues of environmental protection, sustainable development, human security and scientific collaboration. That harmony has been crucial in an era in which climate change is causing the rapid melting of Arctic ice.
BY DUNCAN DEPLEDGE AND CAROLINE KENNEDY-PIPE
Notably, the Arctic Council played an instrumental role in negotiating several legally binding treaties. These include agreements on search and rescue (2011), marine oil pollution preparedness (2013) and scientific cooperation (2017). It also supported the Central Arctic Ocean fisheries agreement (CAO) signed in 2018 by the Arctic Ocean states with Iceland, the EU, China, Japan and South Korea.
The Arctic Council – and more broadly, circumpolar cooperation – withstood the geopolitical aftershocks of Russia’s seizure of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine between 2014 and 2015. But Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine left trust teetering on the precipice.
Within a month, European and North American members had pressed pause on regular meetings of the Arctic Council and its scientific working groups, isolating Moscow. Some activity eventually resumed at the working group level in virtual formats, but full engagement with Russia has remained conditional on a military withdrawal from Ukraine. Meanwhile, hefty sanctions were imposed by the US and Europe, some targeting Russian Arctic energy projects.
Russia’s response was to enhance its relationships with others. Countries such as Brazil, India, Turkey and Saudi Arabia now work with Russia in the Arctic on commercial and scientific projects. This pivot raised concerns among NATO allies about a stronger and challenging Russia-China presence across the Arctic. But the second Trump administration has changed the calculus. The A8 countries are now threatened by a new Arctic order based not on their own sovereignty and collaboration, but on a reset of US-Russia relations.
Change of focus
Trump’s signing of an executive order on Feb. 4 to determine whether to withdraw support from international institutions may lead the White House to conclude that there is no place for the Arctic Council. Its longstanding focus on climate change and environmental protection is anathema to the Trump administration, which has already withdrawn from the Paris agreement and is editorializing domestic climate-related science programs.
The longstanding commitment of the A8 to circumpolar cooperation, or even a narrow A5 (Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and
the US) view of the primacy of the Arctic Ocean coastal states, is likely to be dismissed by the White House, which favors the embrace of great power politics. While many have warned that the Arctic Council cannot survive without Russia, losing US interest and support would surely be its death knell.
In this landscape of “America first”, the prospect of Washington and Moscow dividing the Arctic and its resources seems increasingly realistic. In such a situation, the international treaties signed by the A8 and the CAO may also be at risk. Denmark may find itself excluded altogether from Arctic affairs if Trump gets his way over Greenland. At any rate, all the Nordic Arctic states are likely to struggle to make their voices in the region heard.
A key question for European NATO and EU members is whether Trump would worry about Russian dominance in the European Arctic if it brought US-Russia economic cooperation to extract the region’s wealth. Might Trump even be supportive of Russian attempts to revisit the terms of the 1920 Spitsbergen Treaty, which ultimately gave Norway sovereignty over the Arctic archipelago (albeit with some limitations), if that too meant jointly unlocking Svalbard’s mineral resources, let alone the wealth of the Arctic seabed?
What room, if any, would a deal leave for Indigenous people to be heard, or for international scientific collaboration on critical challenges related to climate and biodiversity?
If we have learned anything in the tumult of recent weeks, it is that European countries, individually and collectively, struggle to exercise strategic influence over contemporary geopolitical events. If Trump and Putin do begin negotiations over the Arctic, Europe may simply have to accept the end of the Arctic Council and circumpolar cooperation.
Climate science, environmental protection, sustainable development and the ability of Indigenous people to decide their future would all suffer. Europe, meanwhile, will be left to consider what, if anything, can be done to defend Arctic interests.
Courtesy of The Conversation / INSP.ngo
Northern lights above Nuuk. PHOTO BY ANINGAAQ ROSING CARLSEN
Control Freak scratches an itch on Hulu
BY JOE NOLAN, FILM CRITIC
Control Freak is a new Hulu movie that reminds me of The Substance , in a good way. The Substance recently got a lot of awards season attention for its gore-dripping explorations of the unnatural pursuit of physical perfection, and Control Freak brings a similar ironic horror tone to its cautionary tale about personal perfection. It takes aim at the self-help industrial complex and all those social media gurus who are “here to help” and this free app based on ancient Hermetic law.
Valerie (Kelly Marie Tran) is a formerly homeless woman who’s become a world famous motivational speaker. She lives with her husband in a swanky house where she’s getting ready for a tour of Asia while she slowly comes unwound due to an unceasing itch on the back of her head. Is it just nerves or is it a parasitic ghost feeding on generations of family trauma?
Tran attempts to make us believe that Valerie is ultra-successful and devoted
to perfection, but between her try-hard acting and the clunky dialogue she gets from writer-director Shal Ngo, she’s not really up to the task. It’s a fundamental weak point of this film, but the idea behind Control Freak is unique enough, and the story and cast paradoxically all become more believable as this movie becomes more unhinged. Control Freak isn’t really the equal of The Substance — a rather masterful movie that ticked a bunch of horror genre boxes. This is serviceable filmmaking, but Control Freak is a horror picture about parasitic ghosts from Vietnam, so that’s mostly good enough. Don’t watch Control Freak for trophy-winning acting or innovative cinematography. Watch it because horror movies are scary and fun. Control Freak is definitely a horror movie, and it’s a don’t-miss for fans of practical special effects and imaginative movie monster magic.
Val is forced to reconnect with her estranged father when she needs her
birth certificate so her tour can travel through China. Her dad’s cryptic warnings about a hungry ghost called Sanshi and an old photo album hiding family secrets are all Val needs to begin spiraling down a rabbit hole of paranoia, demonology, interrogating her nail-salon-owning auntie and making her interactions with her long-suffering husband even more cringy that normal. Control Freak is about how we present ourselves to the world, versus the version we live with in our families, behind closed doors. It’s about the personas we create in our professional lives, and how they can be undermined by our psychological shadows. Val is running from the repressed memories of a childhood tragedy, and from the person she was when she was living in her car and not sure where her next meal might come from. All of these things gave Val the motivation and resilience to build her amazing life, but unless they’re healed and assimilated, she’ll be swallowed
alive by the past in the form of a creepy entity that visits her in the middle of the night and looks like Venom from Marvel Comics meets David Cronenberg’s version of The Fly.
By the time one of Val’s presentations goes disastrously off the rails, Control Freak is off to the races in a wave of blood and gore, medical horror, traditional superstition, impulse control issues, self harm and addiction. Will Val be able to commit to a positive mental attitude in order to manifest her best self living the life she was meant to have? Or maybe she can improvise a living room séance and manage a oneon-one showdown with her paranormal parasite, and take it for a midnight swim? Stock up on moisturizer and confront your own control freak on Hulu.
Joe Nolan is a critic, columnist and performing singer/songwriter based in East Nashville. Find out more about his projects at www.joenolan.com.
